Newfoundland invasion planned

Jan 1, 2003

In honor of Newfoundland's quincen-tennial this summer, a virtual armada of Canadian and American yachts are descending on the island province for a celebration in June.

Joining the festivities after a transatlantic passage will be the replica of the ship Matthew, in which the Italian navigator John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto) first sailed to Newfoundland from England in 1497. Cabot is credited with the so-called discovery of mainland North America.

More than 150 yachts are expected to be in attendance at the flotilla, which will convene in the capital city of St. John's on June 26 in time for Canada Day celebrations on July 1.

The American fleet, coordinated by Offshore Passage Opportunities, will depart Huntington, N.Y., on June 8 and will stop in Newport, R.I.; Portland, Maine; and Halifax, N.S., before crossing the Cabot Strait to Newfoundland.

The Canadian fleet will travel across Lake Ontario from Toronto in late May and voyage up the St. Lawrence Seaway with stops in Kingston, Montreal, and Quebec City.

For information on the American fleet contact Hank Schmitt of Offshore Passage Opportunities at 516-423-4988. For the Canadian fleet contact Bob O'Brian in Toronto at 416-504-4040.